Thursday, February 13, 2014

Lead in Drinking Water

According to EPA:
"Lead, a metal found in natural deposits, is commonly used in household plumbing materials and water service lines. The greatest exposure to lead is swallowing or breathing in lead paint chips and dust.
But lead in drinking water can also cause a variety of adverse health effects. In babies and children, exposure to lead in drinking water above the action level can result in delays in physical and mental development, along with slight deficits in attention span and learning abilities. In adults, it can cause increases in blood pressure. Adults who drink this water over many years could develop kidney problems or high blood pressure.
Lead is rarely found in source water, but enters tap water through corrosion of plumbing materials. Homes built before 1986 are more likely to have lead pipes, fixtures and solder. The most common problem is with brass or chrome-plated brass faucets and fixtures which can leach significant amounts of lead into the water, especially hot water."

"Uses for lead.
Lead is sometimes used in household plumbing materials or in water service lines used to bring water from the main to the home. A prohibition on lead in plumbing materials has been in effect since 1986. The lead ban, which was included in the 1986 Amendments of the Safe Drinking Water Act, states that only “lead free” pipe, solder, or flux may be used in the installation or repair of (1) public water systems, or (2) any plumbing in a residential or non-residential facility providing water for human consumption, which is connected to a public water system. But even “lead free” plumbing may contain traces of lead. The term “lead free” means that solders and flux may not contain more than 0.2 percent lead, and that pipes and pipe fittings may not contain more than 8.0 percent lead. Faucets and other end use devices must be tested and certified against the ANSI – NSF Standard 61 to be considered lead free.

What are lead’s health effects?
Infants and children who drink water containing lead in excess of the action level could experience delays in their physical or mental development. Children could show slight deficits in attention span and learning abilities. Adults who drink this water over many years could develop kidney problems or high blood pressure.

How will I know if lead is in my drinking water?
Have your water tested for lead. A list of certified laboratory of labs are available from your state or local drinking water authority. Testing costs between $20 and $100. Since you cannot see, taste, or smell lead dissolved in water, testing is the only sure way of telling whether there are harmful quantities of lead in your drinking water. You should be particularly suspicious if your home has lead pipes (lead is a dull gray metal that is soft enough to be easily scratched with a house key) or if you see signs of corrosion (frequent leaks, rust-colored water). Your water supplier may have useful information, including whether the service connector used in your home or area is made of lead. Testing is especially important in high-rise buildings where flushing might not work.

Although the main sources of exposure to lead are ingesting paint chips and inhaling dust, EPA estimates that 10 to 20 percent of human exposure to lead may come from lead in drinking water. Infants who consume mostly mixed formula can receive 40 to 60 percent of their exposure to lead from drinking water."


52 homes tested for Lead had: 6.5ppb (90th Percentile), but 3 (5%) of them were above safe level of 15ppb
The cause is stated as corrosion of household plumbing systems

According to EPA no amount of lead is considered safe, however, .015ppm (15ppb) is what is considered a safety threshold that requires action.

The 2012 report also says: 
"Lead - If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and 
components associated with service lines and home plumbing. The City of Tempe is responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials 
used in home plumbing components. When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 
two minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If you are concerned about lead in your water, you may wish to have your water tested. Information on lead in drinking water, 
testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800) 426-4791 or at http://water.epa.gov/drink/info/lead/index.cfm"

  • Boiling your water will not get rid of lead.
  • Use cold water for drinking or cooking. Never cook or mix infant formula using hot water from the tap.
  • Make it a practice to run the water at each tap before use.
  • Do not consume water that has sat in your home's plumbing for more than six hours.  First, make sure to run the water until you feel the temperature change before cooking, drinking, or brushing your teeth, unless otherwise instructed by your utility.
  • Some faucet and pitcher filters can remove lead from drinking water. If you use a filter, be sure you get one that is certified to remove lead by the NSF International.
Resources:
  • EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline: 1-800-426-4791
  • National Lead Information Center: 1-800-424-LEAD / www.epa.gov/lead
  • NSF International: www.nsf.org
Personal notes: The filter for some refrigerators PUR Ultimate filter does remove lead and mercury among other substances. Check your filter system, not all of them. For example, the Brita pitcher solution doesn't, but the faucet solution does remove lead.

Monday, February 10, 2014

Should I go to Urgent Care or Emergency Room (ER)

According to a 24-hour ER in Dallas here are some guidelines when deciding if you should go to the ER or Urgent Care.

ER
Chest Pain
Abdominal Pain
Shortness of Breath
Broken Bone
Flu with complications
Unexplained slurred speech
Open wound / severed limbs
Foreign objects stuck in body
Mental Health Issues

Urgent Care
Sinus Pain
Cold
Sprain
Flu without complications
Sore Throat
Conjuntivitis